Two piece key



July 19, 1960 G. N. POWERS TWO PIECE KEY Filed May 29. 1958 K m N E M .1'eayz/Vfiwmza ATTD RNEYS United States Patent ce TWO rnscn KEY George N.Powers, 53 Campiche St, East Springfield, Mass.

Filed May 29, 1958, Ser. No. 738,698

1 Claim. (Cl. 70-395) This invention relates to keys of conventionalpins, tumblers, or ball locks wherein protuberances on an edge of a keyalign pins, or other devices to permit a cylinder in which the key ispositioned to rotate, and in particular a key in which the protuberancesare formed on a separate bar which is keyed to the shank of the keymaking it possible for the shank or body of the key to be secured by achain to a door frame or other fixture or device and only the insert orremovable bar is carried by the individual.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a key that is substantiallyimpossible to duplicate.

Keys used in conventional pin and tumbler locks are readily duplicatedby machines and an experienced locksmith may readily supply as many keysas may be desired. Furthermore, keys occupy considerable space in apocket folder or handbag and the weight of a bunch of keys isobjectionable. With these thoughts in mind this invention contemplates akey formed into pieces wherein a body is provided with tongues andgrooves in which an insert on which the irregular surface orprotuberances are formed is readily inserted in and also readily removedfrom the body of the key.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an improved keyhaving a conventional body portion with a head and shank in which aninsert having an irregular edge to correspond with pins or tumblers of alock is removably mounted on the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key in which the bodyportion remains on a staple or hasp adjacent a lock and only theirregular edge portion is removed for carrying by the individual.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a removableinsert for a key in which the insert may be used in keys of differentdesigns.

A further object of the invention is to provide a key having aremovableinsert on which conventional protuberances are formed in whichthe key is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the inventionembodies a key having a body with a shank extended from a head and aninsert having an irregular edge portion formed to be positioned on thebody of the key so that the key may be used in the conventional manner.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the key with the partsassembled.

Figure 2 is a view illustrating the use of the key wherein the body ofthe key, from which the insert has been re 2,945,373 Paten'tedJuly 19,1960 moved, is suspended from a hasp by a chain, the parts being shownon a locker door and the body of the key being shown in broken lines.

Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the insert removed from the body ofthe key.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing, in particular, the head ofthe key with part of the shank broken away and with the parts shown onan enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a cross section through the shank of the key being taken online 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a similar cross section through the head portion of the keybeing taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4 and showing, in particular, a springactuated ball for locking the insert in the body of the key.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts the improved two piece key of this inventionincludes a head 10 with a shank 11 extended therefrom, and an insert 12having protuberances 13 in the extended edge and having a T-shaped slot14 in the lower edge and positioned to receive a T-shaped tongue 15 onthe shank 11 of the key. As shown in Figure 5 the groove 14 slides overthe tongue 15 retaining the insert on the shank and the insert isretained in position on the shank by a ball 16 in a substantiallysemi-circular recess 17 in the end of a finger 18 extended from one endof the insert 12, the ball being urged downwardly by a spring 19 whichis positioned in an opening 20 in the extended end of the finger 18.

The finger 18 extends over a shoulder 21 on the head of the key and theball 16 extends into a recess 22 positioned inside of the shoulder 21.

The head 10 of the key is provided with a conventional key ringreceiving opening 23 and by this means the body of the key may besuspended from a staple or clasp 24 by a chain 25, as illustrated inFigure 2.

With the parts assembled as illustrated and described the finger 18 ofthe insert 12 slides through a slot 26 between the upper edge of thehead of the key and the shoulder 21 and after passing over the shoulder21 the ball 16 is snapped downwardly into the recess 22 whereby theinsert is locked in the key. Upon drawing the insert outwardly the ball16 compresses the spring 19 whereby the ball rides over the shoulder 21permitting the removal of the insert.

With .a key formed in this manner each member of a family may beprovided with an insert and the body of the key may remain on the outersurface of the door or frame, as illustrated in Figure 2, whereby eachmember of the family may insert the insert in the body of the key, openthe door, and remove the insert. By the same means lockers, such as inschools, closets, and the like are provided with bodies of the keys andthe owner of the locker may insert the insert when it is desired to openthe locker. After use thereof the owner may remove the insert,permitting the body of the key to be suspended by a chain or otherdevice, as shown.

It will be understood that modifications, within the scope of theappended claim, may be made in the design and arrangement of the partswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In a two piece key, the combination which comprises a head having arecess with a shoulder therein in one side and a shank with a T-shapedtongue thereon extended therefrom, an insert having pin aligningprotuberances 3 s 4 in one edge, a T-shaped groove in the opposite edgefor References Cited in the file of this patent regeiyingthe tongue ofthe shank, and a finger extended UNITED STATES PATENTS from one end andpositioned in the recess of the head, 1 662 613 L Mar 13 1928 saidfinger having a substantially semi-circular recess in 1696326 zg f gg'g; g 1928 the end thereof, and an opening extended inwardly of 52198484 Merk} 1940 said recess and communicating therewith, a springposi- 2:440:429 Best 1948 tioned in said opening, and a ball in therecess in the finger in engagement with said spring and actuated there-FOREIGN PATENTS by for locking the insert in'position on the key.612,188 Germany .....f: Apr. 15, 1935

